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Warm temps to cause cold, dangerous river flows

Air temperatures will be warm in Mammoth and the Eastern Sierra this weekend, with highs ranging from the 70s at Lake Tahoe to the 80s in western Nevada valleys, according to the National Weather Service in Reno.

The resulting snowmelt will result in dangerous cold and fast moving rivers and streams, the agency announced in a news release Friday afternoon.

"Although inviting, those enjoying water activities this coming weekend, and over the next several weeks, should keep in mind that although the air will be warm, water temperatures are still very cold.

Water temperatures are now ranging from the upper 30s to lower 40s at higher elevations in the Sierra and lower to mid 50s in western Nevada valleys during the afternoon hours. The cold water temperatures will create the possibility of hypothermia.

Hypothermia can cause swimmers to lose muscle control, and fast flowing water can make Rescue difficult. Symptoms of hypothermia include shivering, cold hands and feet, numbness, loss of
dexterity, difficulty thinking and pain from cold.

If you witness someone with any of these symptoms, find help immediately. Alcohol consumption accelerates the onset and progression of hypothermia.

Always wear a life vest when in area rivers, streams and lakes. Keep a very close eye on children who are in or near the water as they can easily fall in and be swept away.

Due to ongoing snowmelt, flows on rivers and streams will be higher than swimmers and boaters usually encounter during mid-summer. Swimmers can easily be swept away. Some representative flows expected this weekend are as follows, in cubic feet per second.